Suspected carjacker capitulates after pursuit, lengthy standoff with police in Torrance
Criminal investigations
Suspected carjacker gives up after pursuit, lengthy standoff with police in Torrance
Posted: 03/01/17, 9:56 AM PST | Updated: on 03/02/2017
A suspected carjacker surrendered Wednesday morning after a almost two-hour standoff with police on Pacific Coast Highway in Torrance, where officers coerced his vehicle to a stop following a televised, slow-speed pursue that began in South Gate and wound through the coastal South Bay.
After three armed Bearcat vehicles closed in on the vehicle on Pacific Coast Highway near Palos Verdes Boulevard, the driver exited the vehicle with his T-shirt off and his mitts up about 11:15 a.m., cooperating with authorities.
Authorities identified the suspect as Carlos Mercado, 27, a known gang member from Whittier. He was taken to a hospital for medical evaluation, then booked into the Century sheriff’s station on charges of carjacking and felony evading. Mercado is being held on $175,000 bail.
The pursue had ended on the southwest corner of Palos Verdes Boulevard and PCH just after 9:30 a.m. and, more than an hour later, no movement could be seen inwards the vehicle after it was shoved into a curb, causing a spectacle on the busy corner. Sheriff’s crisis negotiators had been sent to the area, but it was unknown if they were involved in bringing the standoff to a peaceful conclusion.
According to KNBC Channel Four, which broadcast the pursuit and aftermath live for more than two hours, Mercado’s brother reportedly called authorities and said the driver may suffer from some type of mental illness.
Erratic pursue
The vehicle, which appeared to be a Scion hatchback, was taken in a carjacking in Lynwood, sheriff’s deputies said. South Gate police initiated the pursuit near 68th Street and Central Avenue in the Florence area of Los Angeles about 7:40 a.m., and it snaked along surface streets near Los Angeles International Airport and through Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach.
Officers attempted using spike strips to flatten the tires on the vehicle and, at one point, a pedestrian threw something at the car as it went along Harbor Drive at the Redondo Beach waterfront. After Redondo Beach Police used a Precision Immobilization Mechanism or PIT maneuver at Pearl Street and PCH, the driver continued in switch roles for a time on bruised tires.
After police tapped the vehicle a 2nd time on PCH, it was dragging its bumper behind. Officers then tapped the back of the car again, spinning the vehicle into the curb across the street from the Palos Verdes Inn and pinning the driver in.
A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department SWAT team arrived and the Bearcats were placed one by one to block the vehicle from all angles during the lengthy standoff.
Redondo Beach police used a drone to get a better view of the suspect as officers stood from a distance with their weapons drawn. It was the very first time the department has deployed a drone in a tactical situation since getting authorization to use the technology last year.
A long record
Mercado is no stranger to law enforcement. Los Angeles County Superior Court records demonstrate he has two convictions for battery on a police officer, three convictions for resisting arrest and three for possession of methamphetamine.
He appeared to be on probation at the time of Wednesday’s pursue.
Since 2008, Mercado has been convicted in the Downey, Bellflower, Metropolitan, Airport and Compton courthouses ten times for those crimes, as well as driving while unlicensed, reckless driving, carrying a loaded firearm and burglary.
Judges issued sentences ranging from days in jail to sixteen months. Since 2014, Mercado received sentences totaling almost five years in jail.
His most latest conviction was in October when he received thirteen days for reckless driving.
Suspected carjacker capitulates after pursuit, lengthy standoff with police in Torrance
Criminal investigations
Suspected carjacker gives up after pursuit, lengthy standoff with police in Torrance
Posted: 03/01/17, 9:56 AM PST | Updated: on 03/02/2017
A suspected carjacker surrendered Wednesday morning after a almost two-hour standoff with police on Pacific Coast Highway in Torrance, where officers compelled his vehicle to a stop following a televised, slow-speed pursue that began in South Gate and wound through the coastal South Bay.
After three armed Bearcat vehicles closed in on the vehicle on Pacific Coast Highway near Palos Verdes Boulevard, the driver exited the vehicle with his T-shirt off and his arms up about 11:15 a.m., cooperating with authorities.
Authorities identified the suspect as Carlos Mercado, 27, a known gang member from Whittier. He was taken to a hospital for medical evaluation, then booked into the Century sheriff’s station on charges of carjacking and felony evading. Mercado is being held on $175,000 bail.
The pursue had ended on the southwest corner of Palos Verdes Boulevard and PCH just after 9:30 a.m. and, more than an hour later, no movement could be seen inwards the vehicle after it was shoved into a curb, causing a spectacle on the busy corner. Sheriff’s crisis negotiators had been sent to the area, but it was unknown if they were involved in bringing the standoff to a peaceful conclusion.
According to KNBC Channel Four, which broadcast the pursuit and aftermath live for more than two hours, Mercado’s brother reportedly called authorities and said the driver may suffer from some type of mental illness.
Erratic pursue
The vehicle, which appeared to be a Scion hatchback, was taken in a carjacking in Lynwood, sheriff’s deputies said. South Gate police initiated the pursuit near 68th Street and Central Avenue in the Florence area of Los Angeles about 7:40 a.m., and it snaked along surface streets near Los Angeles International Airport and through Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach.
Officers attempted using spike strips to flatten the tires on the vehicle and, at one point, a pedestrian threw something at the car as it went along Harbor Drive at the Redondo Beach waterfront. After Redondo Beach Police used a Precision Immobilization Mechanism or PIT maneuver at Pearl Street and PCH, the driver continued in switch roles for a time on bruised tires.
After police tapped the vehicle a 2nd time on PCH, it was dragging its bumper behind. Officers then tapped the back of the car again, spinning the vehicle into the curb across the street from the Palos Verdes Inn and pinning the driver in.
A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department SWAT team arrived and the Bearcats were placed one by one to block the vehicle from all angles during the lengthy standoff.
Redondo Beach police used a drone to get a better view of the suspect as officers stood from a distance with their weapons drawn. It was the very first time the department has deployed a drone in a tactical situation since getting authorization to use the technology last year.
A long record
Mercado is no stranger to law enforcement. Los Angeles County Superior Court records display he has two convictions for battery on a police officer, three convictions for resisting arrest and three for possession of methamphetamine.
He appeared to be on probation at the time of Wednesday’s pursue.
Since 2008, Mercado has been convicted in the Downey, Bellflower, Metropolitan, Airport and Compton courthouses ten times for those crimes, as well as driving while unlicensed, reckless driving, carrying a loaded firearm and burglary.
Judges issued sentences ranging from days in jail to sixteen months. Since 2014, Mercado received sentences totaling almost five years in jail.
His most latest conviction was in October when he received thirteen days for reckless driving.